Loud Noise Does Not Pair Well With Food

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You have to shout just to be heard in this jointPhoto: Lauren Klain Carton

Thanks to Scientific American for giving tetchy New York diners something new and specific about which to complain: Loud restaurants may dull the taste of food. The SApoints to a study done on a small sample that shows individuals less able to register “salty” and “sweet” on their palates when listening to loud white noise. But they only tested college kids about cookies and Pringles, so it’s hard to be certain the kids weren’t under influences far beyond the charms of snack food. On the other hand, a second study finds that “crunchy foods are crunchier” when eaten in the presence of loud white noise. Maybe SunChips should consider bringing back those noisy bags?